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Julian Jones
Jones in 2024
Member of the Baltimore County Council from the 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 1, 2014
Preceded byKenneth Oliver
Personal details
Born1962 or 1963 (age 60–61)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSabrina Heyward
Children3
EducationUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County (BS)

Julian Earl Jones Jr. (born 1962 or 1963)[1] is an American politician who has served as a member of the Baltimore County Council representing its fourth district since 2014. A member of the Democratic Party, Jones previously served as the chair of the Baltimore County Council from 2018 to 2019, and again from 2021 to 2024.

Background

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Jones was born and raised in east Baltimore. He was one of four children born to father Julian Earl Jones Sr. and mother Margaret Wilkins. Jones graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in 1981, afterwards attending the Community College of Baltimore County, where he earned an associate degree, and later the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in information systems management.[2][3]

Jones has worked with the Anne Arundel Fire Department since he was a student at UMBC,[2] eventually becoming the department's first African-American division chief.[4] He was sent to New Orleans with the Maryland Task Force following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.[5] Jones also previously served as the president of the Hernwood Elementary School parent-teacher association.[3]

Political career

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Jones became involved with politics in 2006, when he was elected to the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee.[3]

In 2010, Jones unsuccessfully ran against incumbent Baltimore County councilmember Kenneth N. Oliver, who edged out Jones in the Democratic primary election by a margin of 98 votes. Following his defeat, Jones launched an unsuccessful write-in campaign against Oliver in the general election.[6] In November 2010, party officers petitioned to the Maryland Democratic Party to remove Jones from the central committee for allegedly violating state bylaws by running the write-in campaign.[7] He ran again for the county council seat in 2014, this time defeating Oliver by a margin of 11 percent in the Democratic primary[4] and running unopposed in the general election.[8]

Baltimore County Council

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Tenure

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Jones was sworn into the Baltimore County Council on December 1, 2014.[8]

Jones served as the chair of the Baltimore County Council from 2018 to 2019, and again from 2021 to 2024.[3][9] He is the first African-American person to chair the council[10] and is longest serving council chair in county history, having been elected to an unprecedented third consecutive term in 2023. In this capacity, Jones oversaw the selection of a successor for Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, the county's responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and to a lawsuit challenging the county's legislative maps, and supported legislation regulating police use of force.[11][12] He was also critical of the Baltimore County Inspector General's Office, which he claimed used "intimidating" investigative tactics and targeted African American women, and supported measures aimed at limiting the office's independence from county officials.[13]

Ethics controversies

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In April 2022, the Baltimore County inspector general found that Jones violated county policy by including a "donate" button for his political campaign in official emails to constituents. According to the report, Jones included the donate button in "at least" 40 emails between April 2021 and January 2022, and that on two occasions constituents responded to the emails saying that they intended to donate to his campaign, but concluded that Jones had not intentionally violated county policy. He defended the emails following the report, saying that there was no evidence the donate button led to any campaign contributions and that his aides used the wrong template for constituent-related emails, and criticized the Inspector General for "researching and looking at every one of my emails" in the investigation.[14]

In November 2022, the Baltimore County inspector general found that the county improperly paid nearly $70,000 to repave an alley after its owner brought the issue to Jones, whose involvement "effective changed the process that had been used" to decide whether the county would repave the alley. According to the report, Jones called the chief of highway design after receiving the developer's request to ask about the alley, After the chief told Jones that the alley would not qualify for repaving, Jones responded with "words to the effect that they did not care and they wanted it to be done". The inspector general sought to interview Jones as part of its investigation, but Jones declined after learning that the interview would be recorded. Jones defended himself following the report, saying that he never spoke with the chief of highway design[15][16] and falsely claiming that the county owned the repaved alley.[17]

In December 2023, during debate on a bill to permanently enshrine the Office of the Inspector General into law, Jones proposed a package of controversial amendments to limit the investigative powers of the inspector general, including provisions to establish an oversight board for the office, require the inspector general to submit reports to the county council before publication, and allowing the reimbursement of legal fees of county employees cleared of wrongdoing,[18][19] which he said would put a "check" on the inspector general's office. Jones' amendments prompted criticism from county residents and officials, including Inspector General Kelly Madigan, who charged that the amendments would infringe on the board's independence.[20][21] Jones withdrew his amendments later that month, and the inspector general bill was passed unanimously by the county council.[22][23]

Personal life

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Jones and his wife with Governor Wes Moore and his wife Dawn, 2024

Jone is married to Sabrina Heyward Jones. Together, they have three children,[2] live in Woodstock, Maryland,[24] and are active members of New Antioch Baptist Church in Randallstown, Maryland.[2]

Political positions

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Crime and policing

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In March 2020, Jones introduced a bill to create a voluntary private security camera registry within the county to help detectives identify crime suspects. The bill unanimously passed the county council.[25]

In June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Jones introduced a bill to ban police chokeholds, require police to use de-escalation methods before applying physical force, and create an "early intervention system" within the county police department to prevent police brutality.[26][27] After the Baltimore County Council voted 4-3 to table the bill in August 2020,[28] he introduced several of the bill's provisions as individual bills[29] and another bill to limit no-knock warrants.[30] In September 2020, Jones and Baltimore County executive Johnny Olszewski reintroduced the previously tabled police reform bill,[31] which passed 6-1 in October 2020.[32]

Environment

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In February 2023, Jones voted against the Bring Your Own Bag Act, which banned plastic bags at large retailers and charged customers $0.05 per paper bag in checkout, which he claimed would be an "added burden on customers".[33] Before the bill went into effect, Jones supported proposals to weaken the bill, including amendments to exempt liquor stores and restaurants and to exempt certain kinds of paper and plastic bags from the five cent charge.[34][35][36]

Redistricting

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In October 2021, Jones said that he supported creating a second minority-majority district on the Baltimore County Council, citing the county's population.[37][38] In November 2021, however, he proposed a new county council map with just one minority-majority district, claiming that other county councilmembers believed it would be "difficult" to do so without splitting communities of interest.[39][40] Jones' map prompted criticism from civil rights groups and activists, including the county's NAACP chapters,[41][42] who successfully sued to strike down the new county council maps in February 2022.[43] Following this, Jones introduced a new redistricting plan that still only included one majority minority district,[44] which was approved by U.S. District Court judge Lydia Kay Griggsby in March 2022.[45]

National politics

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In November 2018, Jones attended a rally in Catonsville, Maryland to support the Mueller special counsel investigation.[46]

Electoral history

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Baltimore County Council District 4 Democratic primary election, 2010[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kenneth N. Oliver (incumbent) 4,257 29.0
Democratic Julian Earl Jones, Jr. 4,159 28.3
Democratic Leronia A. Josey 3,768 25.6
Democratic Penny McCrimmon 953 6.5
Democratic Jack Becker 632 4.3
Democratic Kristy Herring 592 4.0
Democratic Antonia Fowler 339 2.3
Baltimore County Council District 4 election, 2010[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kenneth N. Oliver (incumbent) 30,876 88.0
Democratic Julian Earl Jones, Jr. (write-in) 3,934 11.2
Libertarian Sean C. Lansberry (write-in) 8 0.0
Write-in 283 0.8
Baltimore County Council District 4 Democratic primary election, 2014[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julian Earl Jones Jr. 7,187 48.4
Democratic Kenneth N. Oliver (incumbent) 5,469 36.8
Democratic Makeda Y. A. Scott 2,207 14.8
Baltimore County Council District 4 election, 2014[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julian Earl Jones Jr. 31,354 99.3
Write-in 235 0.7
Baltimore County Council District 4 election, 2018[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julian Earl Jones Jr. (incumbent) 42,386 99.0
Write-in 442 1.0
Baltimore County Council District 4 election, 2022[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julian Earl Jones Jr. (incumbent) 30,117 82.3
Republican Kim Bryant 6,440 17.6
Write-in 59 0.2

References

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  1. ^ "Baltimore Sun Election Guide - Julian E. Jones Jr". The Baltimore Sun. 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Cornish, Stephanie (November 6, 2014). "'Hail to the New Chief of the Baltimore County Council'". Baltimore Afro-American. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Julian E. Jones, Jr., County Council, Baltimore County, Maryland". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Rascovar, Barry (January 16, 2018). "Julian Jones, who is the first African-American Baltimore County Council chairman, could become a prominent voice in county politics". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  5. ^ Pash, Barbara (February 13, 2015). "New county councilman is listening, learning about 4th District". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  6. ^ Hill, Raven L. (September 29, 2010). "Jones to launch write-in campaign against Oliver for Baltimore Co. Council seat". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  7. ^ "Balto. Co. Dems may boot member over write-in campaign". The Baltimore Sun. November 17, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Wood, Pamela (December 1, 2014). "Kamenetz opens second term as Baltimore County executive". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  9. ^ Russell, Lia (January 3, 2024). "Baltimore County Council elects Izzy Patoka as new chair". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  10. ^ DeVille, Taylor (January 3, 2022). "Councilman Julian Jones reelected as Baltimore County Council chairman". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  11. ^ Russell, Lia (January 3, 2023). "Julian Jones Jr. reelected as Baltimore County Council chair for third time in a row". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  12. ^ Wood, Pamela (May 17, 2018). "In reversal, Baltimore County Council will seek public input in replacing Kamenetz as county executive". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  13. ^ DeVille, Taylor (May 20, 2021). "Several Baltimore County Council members slam inspector general for 'intimidating' investigation practices, call to create oversight board". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  14. ^ Knezevich, Alison (April 20, 2022). "Baltimore County Council chairman violated policy with emails linking to campaign contribution page, inspector general says". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  15. ^ Condon, Christine (November 17, 2022). "Baltimore County inspector general reports the county improperly paid $70K for a commercial alley to be repaved". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  16. ^ DeVille, Taylor (November 17, 2022). "Inspector general report says Baltimore County spent $70K to benefit businessperson at council chairman's request". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  17. ^ DeVille, Taylor; Wood, Pamela; Wintrode, Brenda; Sullivan, Emily (January 14, 2023). "Banner political notes: Jones rails against IG report, Mosby staff shuffle, and more". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  18. ^ Russell, Lia (December 5, 2023). "Vote to enshrine Baltimore County Inspector General postponed after introduction of last-minute amendments". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  19. ^ DeVille, Taylor (December 5, 2023). "'Back room' tactics delay Baltimore County vote on inspector general powers". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  20. ^ Russell, Lia (December 13, 2023). "'Sustained, egregious, and damaging to your reputation': Baltimore County officials, residents criticize council chair for inspector general amendments". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  21. ^ DeVille, Taylor (December 13, 2023). "Jones plays defense on proposal for IG oversight board, weakening subpoena power". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  22. ^ Russell, Lia (December 19, 2023). "Baltimore County Council passes inspector general legislation after chair withdraws amendments". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  23. ^ DeVille, Taylor (December 19, 2023). "Baltimore Co. Council expands inspector general's ability to obtain records". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  24. ^ Price, Lilly (October 25, 2022). "Maryland's transportation department asks for public feedback on I-695/I-70 Interchange project". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  25. ^ Oxenden, McKenna; Nobles, Wilborn P. III (March 2, 2020). "Baltimore County Council approves private security camera registry aimed at giving police more crime footage". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  26. ^ DeVille, Taylor (June 12, 2020). "In new police reform initiative, Baltimore County to publish police complaints, update use of force policy and establish watchdog group". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  27. ^ Nobles, Wilborn P. III (June 19, 2020). "Baltimore County councilman pushes for police reform, including ban on chokeholds". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  28. ^ Nobles, Wilborn P. III (August 3, 2020). "Baltimore County Council shelves police chokehold ban and reform bill". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  29. ^ DeVille, Taylor (August 14, 2020). "'A buffet of different provisions': Council members Marks, Jones drafting new Baltimore County police reform bills". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  30. ^ Nobles, Wilborn P. III (August 28, 2020). "Baltimore County councilman seeks limits on 'no-knock' warrants in latest push for police reform". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  31. ^ DeVille, Taylor (September 8, 2020). "Baltimore County's Olszewski, Jones announce new police reform bill banning chokeholds". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  32. ^ Nobles, Wilborn P. III (October 5, 2020). "Baltimore County Council passes legislation to ban police chokeholds, impose new oversight". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  33. ^ Russell, Lia (February 7, 2023). "Baltimore County votes to ban plastic bags". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  34. ^ Condon, Christine; Russell, Lia (September 7, 2023). "Baltimore County Council kills bill amending forthcoming plastic bag ban". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  35. ^ Russell, Lia (October 16, 2023). "Baltimore County Council passes amendments to plastic bag ban two weeks before it goes into effect". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  36. ^ Russell, Lia (November 7, 2023). "Baltimore County Council overrides county executive's veto of liquor store exemption from plastic bag ban". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  37. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (October 27, 2021). "At Public Hearing, Baltimore County Residents Urge County Council to Reject Redistricting Commission Maps". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  38. ^ DeVille, Taylor (October 26, 2021). "'Your voice was loud and clear': After public opposition, Baltimore County Council chair says he'll seek to redraw redistricting maps". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  39. ^ DeVille, Taylor (November 17, 2021). "New Baltimore County redistricting map doesn't create second majority-Black district; it unites Towson in single district". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  40. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (November 19, 2021). "Advocates Slam Updated Baltimore County Redistricting Proposal That Keeps Just One Majority Black Council District". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  41. ^ DeVille, Taylor (December 13, 2021). "Baltimore County presses on with redistricting proposal despite criticism there is only one majority Black district". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  42. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (December 15, 2021). "Civil Rights Advocates, Residents Continue Calls for Second Majority Black Baltimore County Council District". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  43. ^ Barker, Jeff (February 24, 2022). "Judge strikes down new map of Baltimore County Council districts, saying it would disadvantage Black voters". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  44. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (March 9, 2022). "In Redistricting Lawsuit, Baltimore County Council Proposes Another Map With One Majority Black Council District". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  45. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (March 25, 2022). "Judge Accepts Redrawn Baltimore County Council Map With One Majority Black District". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  46. ^ Boteler, Cody (November 8, 2018). "Hundreds gather in Catonsville to rally in support of Mueller's investigation". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  47. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Baltimore County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  48. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for Baltimore County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  49. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Baltimore County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  50. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for Baltimore County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  51. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for Baltimore County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  52. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for Baltimore County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
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